Were you or a loved one involved in a car accident due to someone else's negligence? If so, you have the right to be compensated for your medical costs, related expenses, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Typically, your car accident compensation will come from a settlement from a car accident claim your car accident lawyer files with the negligent or at-fault party's insurance company or as a result of a lawsuit. In order to successfully receive any compensation, especially a fair compensation, it is important to have proper documentation. With the necessary support for your claim, your personal injury attorney can negotiate a substantial resolution for your car accident case on your behalf.
There are so many things to think about following a car accident. Here is a guide on what you will need to do to help your case:
1. Seek Medical Attention After Calling 911
Seeking immediate medical attention should be your top priority. Even if you feel fine at the moment, you should not refuse to be checked out by medical professionals. No matter what injuries you sustain, it is crucial to have your medical record from your hospital visit, medical bills and doctor’s notes available as these would be considered evidence proving the injuries you’ve suffered as well as the financial impact your accident has caused. We cannot overstate how vital it is to have medical records pertaining to your accident as those will provide solid evidence of your medical condition and will also provide what you will need for the settlement request your car accident lawyer will file for you.
2. Document The Scene of the Accident
In the instance, however, that your injuries are not serious, you will want to document the scene of the accident as much as possible. This includes writing what happened right before the accident occured, speaking with witnesses and acquiring their contact information, especially since you would be waiting for a police officer to arrive on the scene. Be sure to also ask them if they would be willing to make written or verbal statements. Ultimately, the more corroborating information you gather up from your witnesses, the stronger your claim can be. Photography and videos are also considered documentation so take as many photos of the scene, damage to your vehicle and even the other party’s vehicle, as well as your injuries.
Although it was already mentioned, after you call 911, the police officer who arrives on the scene will write a police report, which is valuable when it comes to your claim. Providing documentation of the accident scene, a police report will include evidence of fault and other things you may have possibly missed in your documentation.
3. Call a Car Accident Lawyer to Represent You
If you don’t already have a car accident lawyer, quickly request references from people you trust and request a consultation as soon as possible. Even if the call must occur where an office visit is not an option, this is an important step to get the process started when dealing with the insurance companies.
4. Acquire Repair Costs for Property Damage
Now that you’ve covered the necessary first steps, you will need to obtain estimates for any damage done to your vehicle. Keep in mind that nearly every insurance adjuster will request an independent inspection of your vehicle’s damage, which is why the more estimates you have the better to make a strong argument for the repairs you need and the actual cost involved.
When the goal is fair compensation, persistence is key when it comes to dealing with insurance adjusters. Fortunately, car accident attorneys know how to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Hannah is a professional writer who loves to make research on unique topics and express her thoughts by content writing.
